Loose Lead Introductions

Just wondering how everyone has taught their dogs to greet other dogs?

I've always read that a loose leash is best as there is no excess tension in the lead and therefore no excess tension in the dog.

However, when Bane see's a dog from a distance, he goes into stalker mode pretty much crawling the floor at 2mph. Then as we get close he tries to charge up to the dog. This causes the lead to pull tight and you can see the difference in his body language as he goes very rigid. If you try to loosen the leash, he pulls further or goes in circles and I end up in a tangled mess with the other person.

Any tips? I've tried stopping and waiting for the other person to walk to me while making Bane sit but he just gets up as they get closer or people avoid us as I would imagine they think he is unfriendly.

have you tried turning around so ur backs to the other dog walker walking a few steps, walk toward the dog walker again. if he pulls again repeat as above when he stops pulling give him plenty of vocal praise.

I think there's loose lead and loose lead. You can have a long loose lead that gives no communication to the dog and, in my opinion, then say 'you go ahead and do what you think is right', and there's a short lead that's not hanging on the floor loose but equally doesn't have any tension. That will give the relaxed message but allows you to close you hand for a 'check' if you need to say 'I'm here, you don't need to do the deciding'. That works well with our lab, Nola, who launches at other dogs with a bound of energy through positive excitement. It hasn't worked for Chaos.

The method I'm using with him is 'look at that' using the clicker. You teach the dog to look at something in return for a click-treat, and can then make that something be another dog. It's getting there and it definitely has changed his perception of other dogs except when they zoom into his space at speed, and I think part of the problem there is that I'm not quick enough sometimes.

I've put up a link to a 'look at that' video somewhere else, did you see it? I'll try and fish it out if not as it's really interesting.

I've always asked the other handler how the dog is with other dogs. Suki is well socialized and we trust her so it's the other dog we worry about

The loose lead thing that Liz mentions is something I've found with Flo through experience. She doesn't respond kindly on a tight lead and a really loose lead can make her indecisive when walking but if she can feel the lead is attached then she walks perfectly.

As mentioned above, I would try the distraction method and see how he responds with the lead in various states Emma

Harley does the crawl thing some times. If there is a dog coming our way we use distractions with treats then great with a sniff on the other dogs nose that's all they need some times.

Thanks for your replies! The problem when he spots a dog is that he becomes completely fixated on it. I can turn and walk the other way but I have to drag him away. When he finally gives in, he will still "stop to sniff" so that he can keep looking to check where the dog is.

As for greetings, we have never had any problems and I will always ask if the other dog is friendly before we approach, it's just that he launches himself at the other dog, which I imagine can intimidate some dogs. And because of the tension he puts on the lead, you can see how it affects his body language. It almost looks as if he is squaring up to the other dog hackles all up trying to look like a "big man"

I'll try and have a look for that link Liz! It does sound interesting!

To me he sounds anxious about meeting other dogs.  All the signs are
there - becoming fixated is one.  If you think about it, if you were
afraid of spiders and you had one in your room you would want to be
able to see it and know where it was. I know I would:D. This is why you are having to
drag him away, he needs to know where the thing he is worried about
is at all times.

The other sure sign is the fact that you find when he finally gives in he
stops to sniff.  

Trying to 'look like a big man' also indicates that he feels the need
to ward off his worry.

If you practice the LAT method (look at that) and treat treat treat
he will soon learn that spying another dog is going to be a pleasurable
experience rather than anything to worry about.

He has never been keen on approaching dogs, but then he hasn't had any bad experiences from meeting dogs on walks so I wasn't sure if it was nerves or not as he shouldn't have anything to worry about.

It sounds like it would be a good thing to teach him. Where abouts did you post that link Liz?

Here!:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fU1gAI42MH4

We only had one bark at another dog last week, and that was in a really difficult situation so we're making progress with it.

Thanks Liz! It seems simple enough